Page 112 of Vicious Addictions

The weight of Jude’s name hangs thick in the air as I force myself to look him in the eye.

“Jude,” I greet coolly.

“Mina.”

The way my name slips from his lips feels like the prelude to a sin not yet committed.

I shake the thought out of my mind, glancing over at my cousins instead, trying to continue our polite introductions.

“Gentlemen, may I introduce my cousins and head enforcers of the Firm, Remus and Rolo Crane.”

“Pleasure.” Giovanni smiles at them, only for the fleeting look to fall straight off his face when both twins start giving Jude the once-over.

“Long time no see, Romano.”

“It hasn’t been long enough, Remus,” Jude is quick to reply.

When Dominic steps forward, bristling at the scathing look Remus is giving his adoptive son, I match his movement with a step of my own.

“I was half expecting to meet theCapo dei Capi,” I remark, my tone deliberately laced with disappointment.

“And we were disappointed to learn that your father was unable to fly from London, too,” Giovanni replies smoothly. “I suppose he had more important matters to attend back home than repair thefracturehe caused between our joint families.”

His smile is polite, but the message is clear—they would’ve preferred my father to be here instead of me so he could personally apologize to Vincent Romano for offering to induct Jude to the Firm all those years ago.

Knowing my father, under any other circumstances, he would’ve been.

The rift between the two families has been bad for business. If all it would take was a face-to-face apology, my father wouldn’t have hesitated to give it.

Like me, my father has since realized that he made a grave error in trusting Jude, and jeopardizing his relationship with the Outfit’s boss wasn’t worth it.

However, my father’s current health problems wouldn’t allow such a long voyage. And I wouldn’t risk my father’s well-being on a simple rescue mission, nor do I care that Vincent still holds his grudge over my father’s head.

My father did nothing wrong. The only mistake he made was caring for Jude as if he was his own.

“Then let me put your mind at ease,Giovanni,” I say, my expression unwavering. “As far as the Chicago Outfit is concerned, I represent my father in every way. And soon, before the year comes to an end, all business between our families will have to go through me.”

Gio studies me carefully, skepticism flickering in his eyes.

“Are you saying that Victor is stepping down and naming you his successor?”

“That is precisely what I’m saying,” I reply, point blank.

“Is that so?”

“Are you questioning my word?” I hike a brow.

“Don’t take offense,” Dominic interjects with a grin. “Gio’s suspicious of most people.”

“What can I say?” Giovanni chuckles. “I’m not the trusting kind. Besides, something of that magnitude would’ve made headlines.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize my father needed your approval before deciding when to step down. I’ll be sure to let him know.” I tilt my head to the side, my voice laced with sarcasm. “And I assume that means yourcapowill do the same when it’s his turn to relinquish the throne? Though, by the looks of it, that won’t be happening anytime soon.”

This time, I look directly at Jude, twisting the knife.

You gave up everything for what?

To be a foot soldier? An underling?

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